Saito Out, Dodgers Potentially Screwed

The Dodgers Takashi Saito will be out a minimum of six weeks after being diagnosed with a sprained elbow ligament. Heavyset reliever Jonathan Broxton moves into the closer role for the time being.

Saito has saved 17 games so far this season with an ERA of 2.18 and likely would have replaced Kerry Wood in the All-Star game but for his injury. Broxton, whose fastball reaches 100 mph, filled in temporarily for Saito last season with mixed results. He is widely regarded as the Dodgers closer of the future, but any struggles may force the Dodgers to make a trade, since pitching is the only thing keeping the team in the playoff hunt.

This may also mean the return of phenom Clayton Kershaw, as the Dodgers consider returning Chan Ho Park to the bullpen to compensate for Saito's loss.

Hiroki Kuroda Joins Brad Penny on Dodgers DL

The Dodgers lost their second starting pitcher in a week, when they announced that Hiroki Kuroda was headed for the DL with shoulder tendinitis. The injury is not considered serious and Kuroda is tentatively scheduled to start June 28 against the Angels.

Chan Ho Park will take Kuroda's turn Saturday against the Indians. The team has made no decisions regarding Kuroda's roster replacement, but the name being thrown around most by Joe Torre is Justin Orenduff, a 2004 supplemental first round pick. Orenduff is 2-2 in 13 starts with a 5.25 ERA at AAA Las Vegas.

The Dodgers won't need a fifth starter until June 28th so Orenduff would likely be used in a relief role. This also explains why Orenduff is being considered over top pitching prospect James McDonald, who yesterday pitched seven shutout innings for AA Jacksonville. If Kuroda's injury becomes more long term, McDonald might get a call-up because Torre has been reluctant to disrupt the bullpen by starting Park on more than a spot start basis.

Dodgers Brad Penny Goes On DL, Kuroda Also Hurt

The Dodgers have placed Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Saturday. Lefty Eric Stults, who was recalled today, will start Thursday and replace Penny in the rotation.

Had Penny's injury only required him to miss one start, the Dodgers would have likely gone with Chan Ho Park, rather than make a roster move. Although Penny's MRI showed no serious problems, his mild shoulder tendinitis warranted a trip to the DL.

Stults was 5-6 with a 3.59 ERA at the Triple A level this year. Dodgers fans may recall him from last year, when he made five mostly mediocre spot starts.

Further complicating the situation is Hiroki Kuroda, who flew to Los Angeles to have his sore shoulder examined. Kuroda had been scheduled to start against the Reds on Wednesday but Derek Lowe will take his turn in the rotation.  Lowe will pitch on his usual four days rest because of Monday's off day.

Brad Penny Is a Mess

Add Brad Penny to the list of injured former all-stars on the Dodgers roster.

After giving up 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings in today's loss, Penny will fly to Los Angeles tomorrow to have an MRI on his right shoulder. It is hard to say whether Penny is actually hurt or if this is just an excuse for his 5.88 ERA, but the latter is more likely.

Penny, the Dodgers former staff ace, claims to have been suffering from shoulder discomfort since the beginning of the season, which begs the question: why the hell didn't he have an MRI in April? A better question is: why does Penny weigh 260 pounds?

Is it possible to fire a trainer? You see coaches on the hot seat all the time. The Mets are not winning and Willie Randolph is rumored to be on the way out. The Mariners are not hitting, so they fired their hitting coach. If Penny goes on the disabled list, that will make SEVEN Dodgers on the DL. So why are there no rumors of the Dodgers trainer getting the axe? He should be fired -- if for nothing else, allowing Penny to pack on so much weight.

If Penny does go on the DL, the Dodgers may call up top pitching prospect James McDonald, who is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA at Double A, or go with veteran Chan Ho Park.  Another option is Jon Meloan, who was recently converted from closing to starting. Meloan is 4-5 with a 4.13 ERA in 13 starts at Triple A Las Vegas.  Hong-Chih Kuo is likely to stay in the bullpen, but has started in the past. Given all those options, knowing the Dodgers, they will probably sign a washed up veteran who was recently released by another team. Decision forthcoming.